1st Interlude: Shadowstep

Colonel Marcus Riddle, leader of the 17th squad, has assembled his subordinates in the cargo hold of the Tempest, a galleon class warship of the Imperial Naval Fleet. The middle-aged man's deadpan face is difficult to read, but you know the reason why he has called you here; to brief you on your real mission. You've supposedly been sent with this ship to patrol the Little Islands west of Medial, but you were informed before you embarked that you'd receive your real briefing on the ship itself. It became obvious you weren't headed for the Little Islands once you had reached Peaceden and continued south instead. And now you'll learn why.

"I'm sure you know by now we're not here to assist the Navy with their pirate killing," Colonel Riddle says with a matter-of-fact attitude. There is however just a hint of wit in his tone. "Our real mission is to travel to Shadowstep, initiate contact with the Elementals and gather intel on them."

He looks at his squad members.

"Any questions?"

Anne Wood, a woman in her early thirties, unconsciously tightens her grip on her staff. She turns her blue eyes towards her colleagues and waits for them to speak first.

OOC:

This is your first mission together. You were strangers before you met at Fort Haven, but you've now spent the last two weeks training together.

Use this opportunity to describe your character and share anything particular about them to the others.

Samantha, a young, tall fair brunette with graceful features, in stylish, functional dress clothes, raises a hand, but doesn't wait to be called on before she speaks. "Do we have reason to believe they will be more cooperative? Or will this be another one of the agency's usual probings?"

Last edited by RorytheRomulan on Fri 16 Mar 2018, 11:25 pm; edited 1 time in total

May looks sleepily around and then raises her hand. She's a petite girl with long braids of brown hair. Her beloved wine skin is in her left hand and her eyes are bloodshot from her morning breakfast of wine, eggs, and more wine. She says in her thick Harmony accent, "Oberst (Colonel) Riddle? Sir? Should ve expect much trouble?"

"This is a standard reconnaissance mission," the colonel says. "Even after two centuries, we still haven't managed to learn anything about their society, or if they even have one." He pauses. "Frankly, this expedition will most likely turn out to be a very expensive picnic. But that's no reason to let your guard down."

Leaning against another pile of barrels on the opposite side of the Hold, mirroring Nick with almost mocking accuracy, the ragged mass of Human-shaped Darkness suddenly pipes up.

"Yeeeeeeah, about that. Are we just gonna walk up an Elemental and strike up a conversation? I don't know if you know, but they're a tricky bunch. Normally, they gather intel on you, then kindly shove you off or go about their own business somewhere you're not. They're not really known for being all forthcoming about themselves, or even hang around long enough to tell you anything. Unless you want to be a Green Mage or something but seriously, heh... count me out of that one."

Thanks to the lopsided frown, in addition to the wince as she endures the acquired musk of her drinking companion, Sam's face scrunches up in response to the Darkness aspect's question. "Should we walk up and talk to them, Nick? You're our summoner, you have the most knowledge and experience with them out of all of us."

Nick just shrugs. There's a short pause, after which Smirk fails to suppress a laugh.

"Nick Bradshaw, you don't expect me to tell her that!" - he then turns to Sam - "You can walk up to them, they don't normally bite. Whether they'll give you the time of day is something else altogether."

Nick sighs and facepalms, while Smirk just grins - "Vertrau mir Fraulein, were i to tell all that goes on in the Ineffable Bradshaw's head, this meeting would just turn awkward!"

Then to Sam - "Yes! Nothing he could ever think about the mission would ever remain secret so long as i'm around." - there's another awkward pause, as Nick just shakes his head in resigned frustration - "Oh Nick Bradshaw, stop!" - Smirk stammers bashfully

"The last report of human presence in Shadowstep dates back to a month ago," Marcus Riddle says. "A few nobles from Walkerfree who decided to visit the island. If they met any Elementals, they were too drunk to remember."